Showcasing a collection of career imagery and accompanying stories from Australian veterans, Point & Shoot brings a voice to the unique experiences of serving personnel.
Covering military service from the Second World War onwards, the exhibition commemorates a range of modern conflicts, peace operations and service and provides a rare glimpse into the life and experiences of fellow Australians who have served their country.
Point & Shoot is the concept of Point Assist founder Mark Direen, a former Infantry and Special Forces soldier with over 20 years military service including 6 overseas deployments. Mark’s own experiences as a soldier were the impetus for this project.
Operating in remote, high threat environments is both physically and mentally demanding. It was behind the lens of a camera, capturing both the ordinary and extraordinary experiences as a combat soldier he found stillness and meaning. Looking back at a plethora of images post-service, Mark then began to wonder, maybe others do this too and so the concept began.
The purpose of the Point & Shoot exhibition is not to display perfectly captured photos from professional photographers. But rather, to share some of those moments frozen in time that those who serve our nation thought were worth remembering. Australian veterans are invited to submit an image.
Banner image: Australian soldiers prepare their equipment for the mentored patrol with the Afghan National Army during Operation OMEED ATIL in Deh Rafshan Valley. © Department of Defence.
View some of the photographs and stories featured in the exhibition via the menu below.
Alex Ormerod; Betikama, Solomon Islands, 2012
This image was taken near the famous battlefields of Henderson Field and Bloody Ridge.
We spent plenty of time here in our first few weeks getting used to working in the humidity. I vividly remember the intense heat walking into the Kunai grass for the first time. Growing up watching the movie "The Thin Red Line" based on battles in this same area, all I could think was how horrendous it must have been trying to fight in this environment.
Alex Ormerod; Solomon Islands, 2012
This was taken on our way to Honiara to begin our 5 month deployment as part of the RAMSI mission. For many of us, this was our first deployment and something we'd worked hard for, so being on the plane felt like the final hurdle to reach that goal of getting a trip.
As soon I got onto that C-17 and saw the flag, I knew I had to capture this moment.
Chris Roughley; photograph of Jack Roughley; Ashau Valley, Vietnam, 1964
This image is of my Dad, Jack Roughley (dec.) with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) conducting hand grenade practice with the local ‘Civilian Irregular Defence Group’ (CIDG).
I think this image typifies the type of soldier this country produces; fit, professional and courageous. A tradition that is still alive in us today.
Chris Roughley; photograph of Jack Roughley; Vietnam, 1966
Warrant Officer 2 Jack Roughley, CSM of A Company, 6RAR, Qld, contacts his platoon headquarters from an Armoured Personnel Carrier sweeping after retreating Viet Cong (VC). The pursuit followed a crushing defeat of the enemy at Long Tan.
6RAR and supporting elements destroyed 250 VC in the battle during Operation Smithfield.
Clay Marks; East Timor, 2011
This image was taken while conducting airborne door gunnery training off the coast of Dili.
In my downtime whilst deployed I completed an online digital photography course and would keep my newly purchased Nikon D90 camera in the Blackhawk crewman grenade bins using it as much as possible to capture our experiences.
Damien Schofield; photograph of Kerry Schofield; Long Hia Mountains, Vietnam, 1970
An image of my father Kerry Schofield that hung in our kitchen on the family farm growing up.
Dad was on an ambush above some rice fields, getting cover by the rocks and bush. Thinking they had not been seen, they were surprised to find notes on dead VC from farmers working the fields that "Australian Soldiers were hiding in the hills".
On a family trip to Vietnam in 2000 Dad pointed out the same rock where the photo had been taken. His excitement reliving the story will stay with me forever.
Mathew Bell; East Timor, 2008
On a night patrol in the village of Glai we met Victor, one of the village elders. Victor worked with the Aussies when he was a young boy, carrying the bags for Australian Soldiers who were fighting the Japanese. He also fought the Indonesians for East Timor’s independence.
I returned to Timor in 2018 and was able to track Victor down. He remembered our meeting and was generous enough to invite me to stay at his house. Unfortunately he died last year.
Mathew Bell; Deh Rawud, Afghanistan, 2012
‘The Girl on the Bridge’
I took this photo as we returned to base after a compound raid. What captured my eye was the innocence of the young girl crossing the bridge on her own whilst being overshadowed by the Afghan National Army Soldiers passing. The girl and the soldiers are then both shadowed by the powerful Afghanistan mountains in the background.
Matthew Morris; Afghanistan, 2008
Providing overwatch on a snap vehicle check point amid intelligence of a suspected Taliban VBIED looking to target coalition forces.
While others would search vehicles and or people movement, inquisitive kids always wanted to say hello and ask for things. I made sure to carry a pocket full of sweets to hand out.
Samuel Hicks; Middle East Region, 2018
It was on this deployment I felt the greatest sense of purpose in the grey cams contributing to Boarding Operations in the Middle East Region.
I hold this deployment close to my heart as I learned so much including the type of war-fighter I wanted to be, and the kind of person I didn't want to be. This image symbolises hard work, purpose and passion for the job.
Sean O'Loughlin; Afghanistan, 2010
Rocky was one of the standout Afghan Soldiers in the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team who would always lead from the front and took pride in his Dragunov Sniper Rifle.
Rocky had experienced unbelievable trauma during his time in the ANA, which eventually led to his imprisonment after we left. I fondly remember the character Rocky was at this stage in his life and often wonder what happened to the ANA soldiers we served alongside.
Sean O'Loughlin; Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan, 2010
Being a part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team saw us living amongst the Afghan Soldiers and local population. We knew the locals by name and were often invited for chai. On this patrol, the kids caught fish in the river and had prepared a feast within the space of 20-30 minutes.
My mate Nathaniel Gallagher “Gal” can be seen in the back of the photo, enjoying the break on patrol. Gal would be KIA on his next deployment back to Afghanistan.
Sean O'Loughlin; Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan, 2010
‘IED Close Call’
This image was taken after we narrowly escaped an IED blast, targeting our foot patrol. The bomb was full of ball bearings and shredded the wall and trees in the area.
Laughing about our brush with death, here I am kissing my lucky ring, which served me well on all patrols.
Shannon Murney; Mirabad Valley, Afghanistan, 2011
While it is easy to appreciate the natural beauty in this scene, for me, the beauty lies in the memory of the discipline and dedication of these men. Their tireless professionalism, unfailing good humour and humanity, even in the darkest of moments.
I was never prouder to be an Australian. To serve among such men was to serve among giants.
Shannon Murney; Mirabad Valley, Afghanistan, 2011
Due to the heat of the day, our adversary elected to operate at night and so reverse cycle operations became our new normal. Weeks on end would be spent barely seeing daylight.
Despite the gruelling tempo, no one complained, in part thanks to the efforts of the man in this picture.
One of my section commanders, he consistently led by example, setting a strong standard for his team. I could not think of a more appropriate image to capture this, back turned to the sun, walking with purpose into the dark.